Posted on: 6 November 2020
Do something small and make a big difference in this year’s World Diabetes Day on 14 November. The theme is ‘nurses make the difference’ and there’s lots of ways to get involved.
Type 2 diabetes is a largely preventable condition which can increase your risk of heart attacks, stroke, kidney disease and blindness. Having a long-term condition can also make it more difficult to recover from coronavirus.
Dr James Thomas, Co-Chair of the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership (WY&H HCP) Clinical Forum and Clinical Chair for Bradford District and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Even the smallest thing can help raise awareness and make a big difference to people living with or at risk of diabetes. The human cost of diabetes can be devastating. While there are some things we can’t change, like our age, ethnicity, relatives with diabetes or medical history we can change our weight, waist and blood pressure. Our wonderful nurses do so much to support, advice and treat people with diabetes; helping to ensure we are in the best health possible – they make a huge difference”.
Adele Graham, Manager for the (WY&H HCP) Diabetes Prevention Programme, said: “Perhaps go blue for the day – change your profile pic, exercise in blue, tie a blue ribbon in your hair, wear blue shoes or put the blue circle - the global symbol of diabetes - in your window. Shine a blue light – on your home, garden, office, building or landmark, call someone you know who might be affected by diabetes or organise a themed online activity with your family, friends or work colleagues”.
The Partnership is organising a range of activities to support the day including online webinars and education sessions for healthcare professionals. GP practices are also sending out letters to over 100,000 people in West Yorkshire and Harrogate at risk of developing type 2 diabetes offering them a free place on the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (NDPP).
Visit the World Diabetes Day website for more information, resources, ideas and events taking place nationally and internationally. There’s also a World Diabetes Day app which you can download and use to take selfies and tweet photos. Remember to tag in @WHYPartnership and use the hashtags: #WorldDiabetesDay, #NursesMakeThe Difference.